This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our Cookies Policy.

The Swede’s impressive first season Stateside was enough to see him scoop the annual prize.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC HAS has been named the MLS Newcomer of the Year, ahead of Wayne Rooney.

The LA Galaxy striker edged out former England captain Rooney in the voting for the 2018 prize, which is awarded to the player with previous professional experience to have impressed the most in his first season in the United States.

Ibrahimovic joined Galaxy from Manchester United in March and scored twice on his debut against Los Angeles FC, including a spectacular strike from 40 yards.

The 37-year-old ended the season with 22 goals and 10 assists in 27 appearances, earning 36 per cent of the votes for the Newcomer award, despite Galaxy missing out on the play-offs.

Rooney came second with 32 per cent, having inspired DC United to a postseason place after joining from Everton. Carlos Vela of LAFC came third.

The award is decided by votes from MLS club management, selected media, and current MLS players.

Rooney and Ibrahimovic were earlier named in the MLS Best XI for the season.

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.